







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | |
| Erm, she's the marketing manager at the company. | |
| Oh f*ck off, I've got to go now... | |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | |
| Why? It looks pretty clean to me! | |
| He's a... Sorry Mike, what do you do? | |
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | |
| How is your mum, does she have any health problems? | |
| Does anyone else need anything? | |
| My laptop is in it. | |
| Is that you, Mike? | |
| No, she is a uni student in Russia. | |
| Yeah, he is keen on moving house... | |
| My friend noted here it is your wedding anniversary! | |
| Why? What's wrong? | |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | |
| Or worse, sometimes they throw a party at home! | |